Posts tagged “culture”

Tunde & Anaya: Part 15

Posted on 17/04/2013

street2

Aman Balewa rubbed his temple before lowering his elbows to the table. “I’m sure you’ve heard from Anaya…” he said to the young man sitting across the table from him. His eyes scanned the man’s attentive stare, his brow furrowed in concern.

Tunde dipped his head affirmatively, lifting his penitent gaze. “I am very sorry, Mr. Balewa, for all this.”

Aman managed a smile, waving off the apology. “It was inevitable to happen to anyone.” He sighed heavily. “I just wasn’t expecting it to happen to any of us.”

The two men fell into contemplative silence, both thinking about the familial conflict that erupted into full-blown chaos once their communities had caught on to Tunde and Anaya’s courtship. They both wondered if things would’ve been different if there was no political strife between the two communities.

Picturing the elders snarling at him, Tunde pushed back the regret. It didn’t matter now. He wanted Anaya Balewa as his wife, regardless of the rift between their people. Lifting his gaze to her father now, Tunde cleared his throat to grab the man’s attention. “Sir… I want to marry Anaya.”

Aman lifted his head and studied the young man’s steady gaze, hesitating as if mulling over the obstacles before them. “What does your family say?”

The corner of Tunde’s lips curled in a wry smile. “They love her and support us both.”

Aman managed a smile, regretful that Anaya’s side would be less supportive. Hadiza had yet to speak to any of them since Abdul’s ill-omened visit. “I am grateful for that…” he said softly.

“Sir…”

Aman blinked expectantly at Tunde.

“I won’t let anyone or anything hurt Anaya. I want to protect and love her for as long as God wants it.”

Aman’s heart twisted painfully, staring at this brave young man before him. He could see a younger version of himself sitting before Hadiza’s ailing father, offering the same promises to keep her for as long as Allah willed it, vowing not to take another wife as their customs would allow. He’d devoted his entire heart to Hadiza and would not share it with another.

“If God wills it,” Tunde continued, pulling Aman from his nostalgic reverie. “I will make her happy and secure for as long as we both live.”

He nodded. “I know you will…”

The bell over the door of the café sounded and Aman watched as Tunde’s eyes lifted from him. He noticed the warmth that now filled Tunde’s gaze and knew immediately who had stepped into the café. Tucking a smile, Aman shifted his head to watch his eldest daughter walk to their booth.

“Hello Papa,” Anaya said softly, her gaze lowered under Tunde’s open staring.

When Aman smiled and gestured for her to sit by Tunde, he watched as she shuffled shyly to Tunde’s side. His heart twisted tightly as Tunde shifted in and watched the young couple before him. Tunde’s broad shoulders and tall physique dwarfed his slender daughter; the man’s unwavering eyes contrasting Anaya’s bashful gaze. The young man’s steady words echoed in his ears as he continued to stare at them, heartbeat picking up speed when Tunde gave Anaya a gentle smile and she ducking her head, tucking back hers. He recalled her words that she wanted this man.

“Anaya…”

She looked up and blinked at her father. Her face warmed as she noted the gentle but conflicted look in his eyes and suddenly felt guilty for wishing she could hold Tunde’s hand under the table. “Papa…?”

“Are you sure about this?”

His soft, hesitant words caught her off guard. She glanced quickly at Tunde who now focused his attention on her father. Returning hers to her father, Anaya nodded slowly. “I’m sure, Papa. I love him.” Her heart skipped several beats when her father’s brows lifted.

“It won’t be easy,” Aman said gently, eyes moving from hers to Tunde and back to her again. “They will not leave you two alone. There will be many times you might cry and wish things could be different.”

Anaya swallowed hard, recalling Uncle Abdul’s forceful way to keep her in line. “I won’t regret it.”

Aman then smiled although it didn’t reach his eyes as it normally did. “I know you won’t, my dove.”

That was when she felt Tunde’s fingers seek hers. Her body warmed, comforted by the way his strong hand held hers, encouraging her that she was making the right decision. She smiled back at her father. “Thank you Papa.”

He nodded and looked over at Tunde. Then he lowered his hands, palms up on the table.

Both Tunde and Anaya glanced once at his hands and then at each other. Then they loosened their hold on each other’s hand from under the table and pulled them up to place on top Aman’s.

Tears gathered at the corners of Anaya’s eyes as her father’s rough hand cupped hers. She sought the warmth from his gaze through her cloudy one and held her breath, waiting.

Wordlessly, Aman guided Anaya’s hand to rest on Tunde’s open hand. Tears slid down his cheeks and he sniffed them back, caressing Anaya’s palm once more before shifting his eyes to Tunde. “I will hold you to your promise… my son.” The tightness eased off his heart. He would not be losing a daughter but gaining a son. It was always what he’d wanted and if things were different, he would’ve slaughtered three cows and four goats to celebrate at the feast for his new son.

Anaya choked on her tears, blinking to see her father’s face. His acceptance of them, of her decision was the greatest gift he could ever give her. She wanted to embrace him, wanted to hold him forever and comfort him for taking this step with them. “Papa…” she whispered in a trembling voice.

“Thank you,” Tunde said, equally choked with emotion. He blinked back his tears and reached over with his free hand to grasp Aman’s hand. “Thank you, Father.”

—

The room was filled with solemn silence as the Halliday family sat on the other side of the dining table from the Balewa family. Tunde and Anaya exchanged worried glances as both set of parents remained silent, watching each other. Leeza absentmindedly scratched at a chip on the table and Anaya nudged her knee.  She frowned at her older sister and caught Silas’ amused smirk before smiling openly at him.

Josephine eyed the quiet woman with her veiled head bowed. Stirred with compassion over the woman’s sullen eyes, she managed a kind smile. “Don’t worry, Hadiza… my son will take care of Anaya. We’ll beat him into shape if he does otherwise,” she added in attempt to draw a smile from the woman.

Hadiza didn’t even raise her head or acknowledge Josephine.

Aman chuckled to cover for his wife’s impoliteness.  “I surely hope so. He has given me his word and I intend to hold him to it.”

Silas and Tunde grinned openly at the man’s good-natured response. “Don’t worry, Uncle Aman,” Silas reassured the older man. “He won’t step out of line.” He nudged his older brother with his elbow.

Smiling shyly at Aman’s teasing eyes, Tunde shifted his gaze to Anaya whose eyes danced at him with contained mirth. He winked at her and grinned fully when she quickly looked away.

Ebenezer Halliday watched curiously as his eldest son and his fiancée played cat and mouse with their eyes. It was clear that this bashful girl loved his son as much as he loved her, affirming Josephine’s gushing words once they were alone in their bedroom. He’d been curious about the girl since then. And although the girl’s mother was notably rude by her stiff silence, the rest of her family made up for it in overwhelming warmth and hospitality. His aging heart settled in peace and he nodded.

“Dear Aman,” Ebenezer began, leaning his elbows on the polished table. “We should discuss the day of the wedding.”

Everyone’s smiles waned at the patriarch’s words and Aman nodded solemnly. “What do you suggest?”

Anaya snuck one look at Tunde as the two fathers shared their thoughts for the wedding day. She caught him looking back at her and this time she didn’t turn her eyes away. Instead, she gave him a grateful smile and watched as his lips curled in a slow smile. Her heart fluttered, thinking about how that smile would forever be for her and felt the peace settle in.

<<Part 14 || Part 16>>

Categories: From The Binder

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Tunde & Anaya: Part 14

Posted on 16/04/2013

kent

Ten minutes since they opened the door and Anaya couldn’t wait for Uncle Abdul to leave. He wouldn’t stop staring at her. Rather he silently seethed through every pore of his body, boring holes in hers. It was worse than him just scolding her with that thunderous voice of his.

She sat on the sofa with her sister who peeked through lowered lashes at the brooding man before them. Hadiza sat in the chair beside them with her head bowed solemnly, hands folded in her lap.

The insistent clock ticked loudly in the quiet room and Anaya looked up to watch the pendulum underneath its face.

“Where is Aman?” his gravelly voice erupted through the stifling darkness. “Is he working again tonight?”

Anaya stiffened at the disdain in his voice and clenched her teeth tightly. It was clear that Uncle Abdul did not approve of her father’s security duties; he made mention of it every night he came to visit. She cut him a look and almost gasped sharply when she caught him glaring at her. Her spine stiffened and Anaya jerked her eyes to her fingers gripping her knee.

“When will that unwise husband of yours learn how to handle his girls?”

All warmth left her body.

“Brother…” Hadiza started to say, her head still lowered dutifully.

“That husband of yours has done everything to break our traditions and look what has happened…” the man’s voice shook with forceful anger. “You have brought up two daughters with no sense of fidelity.”

Anaya’s jaw tightened as her face warmed under each biting, accusing word from Uncle Abdul.

“The younger one can’t even sit still to do well in school and cannot even keep house while the other…” Anaya didn’t need to lift her head to see the disgust in his eyes. It was clear his disdainful stare was on her alone. “Does everything to dishonor the family and shame us all.”

“Brother…” Hadiza pleaded, her voice trembling against her pent-up tears.

Anaya noticed Leeza’s fingers curling tightly beside her, veins straining under her palm.

“I don’t blame you, Cousin,” Uncle Abdul continued, undeterred by Hadiza’s weak protests. It is that foolish, harebrained husband of yours. He turns from Allah and this is what it has caused—“

“That is enough…”

Hadiza’s eyes jerked up and so did Leeza’s, all gaping in Anaya’s direction.

She didn’t look at them. Instead, her narrowed glare was on Uncle Abdul’s stunned expression.  “You will not come to my father’s house and mar his name like this.” She could hear her racing heart in her ears and her eyes stung with tears at bay. “He has done no wrong and you will not insult him like that again.”

Uncle’s thick lips pursed in a firm line, his eyes narrowed into menacing slits. “Who are you talking to?”

Leeza nudged Anaya gently but she didn’t budge.

“If you have a problem with me, blame me, Uncle Abdul. My parents and my sister have nothing to do with my decisions. And neither do you.” She knew her mother was probably about to swoon in dismay but she couldn’t stop.

The man slowly stood to his feet and so did Anaya as if they were to face off. She wasn’t scared, the adrenaline from her anger pushing her forward. And then it happened. Uncle took one step toward her and before she could do anything to brace herself, his bear-like hand swooped down hard on her face.

The stinging came later as her head reared back from the unexpected blow. Blinking rapidly at the tears that now clouded her vision, Anaya forced her glare up at him.

“Lower your eyes now!” Uncle barked, seething all the more when she didn’t even flinch.

Hadiza had now moved in between her daughter and her second cousin, weeping openly. “Brother,” she pleaded in their native tongue with her hands shuffling before her. “Spare her. She is just a child.”

“A foolish child who has caused more pain than she should,” Uncle Abdul spat, frowning at Anaya over Hadiza’s shoulder. “This is what happens when you spare someone like her for too long.”

The door squeaked open and Anaya’s shoulders sagged as Leeza rushed over to greet their father. She couldn’t look up, her face still throbbing with pain.

Aman Balewa stepped into the house, taking in the scene before him with his brow furrowed in concern. His eyes shifted from his weeping wife standing beside her second cousin to Anaya before them, her head bowed. “What is the meaning of this?” he asked softly, walking into the parlor.

Uncle Abdul turned his eyes to Aman and pointed accusingly at him. “You! Do you know what you’ve done?”

Anaya closed her eyes, the tears sliding down her cheeks.

“Because you have abandoned the laws of our people and the traditions of the family, you have not only brought dishonor to yourself and your family, but shame and betrayal to us all!”

His accusation rang loud and clear through the house, punctuated by Hadiza’s choked sobs.

Aman watched warily as Hadiza fell on her knees and folded her hands before her, peering up at her cousin. “Please, Brother, please forgive us. Forgive our foolishness. Please…”

“Are you blind to not see that your daughters have no sense and are running around like headless chickens?”

“What is this about? My faith or your nonsense prejudice…” Aman’s calm voice sounded amid the chaos.

Hadiza moaned, covering her face with her hands. Uncle Abdul gaped at Aman.

“What exactly are you accusing me of, Abdul? Is it not your son who died because of his foolishness?”

“How dare you?!” Uncle Abdul roared, his eyes bulging with fury.

“I’m tired of you blaming others for why Ibrahim lived the way he did. It’s not anyone’s fault that he lived as an angry man and died as one too.”

“Shut up!”

Aman nodded, releasing a heavy sigh. He could feel his daughters now gaping at him. How wrong he was for voicing his thoughts aloud. “I am sorry that I had to tell you that…” he said quietly, his jaw still taut. “It is late and I wish to speak to my family alone.”

Anaya couldn’t breathe. Her soft-spoken, polite father was kicking out the respected elder from her mother’s side, someone who had practically given her mother permission to marry. No doubt Uncle Abdul would not forget their insolence. Her cheeks still stung.

Uncle Abdul hissed through his clenched teeth and started for the door.

Hadiza reached up to clutch his pant leg, her sobs returning with full force. “Brother, please!”

He shook her off and stormed past Aman, shoving his shoulder on his way out of the house.

Aman clenched her jaw tighter as the door slammed hard behind Uncle Abdul.

“Papa…” Leeza whispered from where she stood, staring at her father’s tight face.

Anaya could only stare at her mother’s hands splayed on the carpet, fingers trembling to hold herself up.

“Help your mother up,” Aman said softly, his eyes lowering to where his wife knelt on the floor, her veil sagging over her head. His brow furrowed with deep concern and pain, and regret. He shouldn’t have insulted her family the way Abdul had insulted him; especially not in front of her.

When his daughters remained where they were, Aman sighed and walked toward his wife. Hesitating for just one moment when Hadiza refused to halt her tears, he knelt and reached for her shoulder.

Hadiza bit out a tortured scream and recoiled away from his hand. Anaya and Leeza blinked at their mother’s strange response.

Aman only sighed and removed his arm from her. “I’m going to sleep…” he muttered sullenly and trudged toward his room.

Heaving a deep sigh, Leeza cast one annoyed glare in their mother’s direction before turning for the stairs.

Anaya could only stand there, listening to Hadiza sob inconsolably as regret settled in her heavy heart.

—

“Penny for your thoughts…” Tunde’s gentle voice broke through her muddled mind.

Anaya peered up at his handsome face, managing a gentle smile as though to convince him she was alright although her heart was in pain.

His dark eyes searched hers and Anaya lowered hers. She sighed when he nudged her chin up. “I’m okay.”

“You’re not a very good liar, Ana…” The corner of his lips curved in a wry smile. He caressed her cheek. “What’s the matter?”

The gentleness in his voice almost undid her; his warm touch a stark difference from the heavy blow last night. The stinging had only stopped just before she headed out to school earlier that day.

“Something has happened… I can tell,” Tunde muttered, searching her watery eyes. His brow furrowed. “You’re crying.”

Anaya pulled her chin from his hold and lowered her eyes. “I’m not…” Anaya attempted to sniff discreetly.

“Right…” Tunde leaned back in his seat, watching her with deep concern. He could feel the weight on her shoulders as if it was on his too, but felt too helpless to release her from the burden she carried. He reached over and covered her hand with his. “You can tell me whatever it is that troubles you–”

“Tunde…”

He raised a brow. “Hmm?”

“Just hold me… Just for a while, please…” Anaya bit her trembling lip, feeling the tears slide down her cheeks. She closed her eyes as Tunde’s arms reached for her and pulled her into his embrace. All restraint fell away and she cried, pressing her face in the crook of his arms until there were no more tears left.

<<Part 13 || Part 15 >>

Categories: From The Binder

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